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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Deb Bowers, Class of 1978, received the 2010 Hoot Gibson Award from the Heart of Illinois United Way. The award seeks to recognize the “unsung heroes” of the Peoria, Ill., community.

Bowers, who graduated from IWU with a degree in accounting, has volunteered with the Heart of Illinois United Way since the early 1990s. She has served on the board of directors, the campaign cabinet and as a campaign ambassador.

The United Way recognized Bowers for her essential role in the strategic planning behind the organization and for her determination to resolve the health and human care issues confronting central Illinois.

The Heart of Illinois United Way relies on community-minded volunteers from the sectors of business, labor, government and health and human services. The award commemorates Horace J. “Hoot” Gibson who was both the manager of the Peoria IBM office and a United Way volunteer. The award acknowledges determined volunteers like Hoot, who do good deeds not for the recognition, but for the benefit of the community.